Writers' Room Interview: Arendse Lund

Shelf Talk

Dec 8

Welcome back to our Writers' Room interview series! Today we're talking with Arendse Lund, a member of the 2023 Seattle Writers' Room cohort.

The Writers' Room, located on Level 9 of the Central Library, offers a space for writers to work on their projects and access Library resources. Use of the room is through an application process for the Writers' Room Residency.

We asked some of our current Writers' Room Residents questions to learn more about them and their experience in the Writers' Room. Today we spoke with Arendse Lund.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing! For folks wanting to learn more about your work, where can we find it?

The short answer is that I write speculative fiction. The long answer — and stay with me here — is that I like to metaphorically sit at those little tables outside cafes and watch the world go by. As it does, I think to myself: What if this scene were a little bit different? What if the reason that woman is yelling at that man is because she's Pandora, and he's just rifled through her belongings, helped himself to a nice little box he found, and opened it? Or what if that kid thinks he's walking his dog, but it's actually the other way around — the dog has a place she wants to take the kid to show him something, but needs the kid to think it's actually his idea? That sort of thing.

That's what being a writer is like. You take the world and you twist it so that you're telling the story that you want to tell. It can be an earth-shattering twist, or it can be the smallest little change, but all of a sudden your protagonists are in situations that are entirely of your invention, and you have to figure out how to get them out of it. Or maybe you don't, and that's a choice, too.

I recently published my first piece of crime fiction. It's titled "Letter to the Archivist," (Mystery Magazine, August 2023). Libraries tell stories through their collections, and this story was born entirely out of my love for libraries and books. In it, someone writes a letter to a Special Collections librarian, espousing the virtues of the archival holdings in incredible, loving detail. But maybe that's not quite as good it seems.

Talking about what-ifs, I have a seasonal piece titled "A Missing Christmas" (The Fabulist Words & Art, December 2022). Father Christmas has vanished and the other Holidays gather together to discuss what should be done. As a piece of micro fiction, it's quick enough to read while standing in line at the store (and leave a comment if you do!)

You can always follow along with more of my stories at: www.arend.se

What has your experience been like using the Writers' Room so far?

The Writers' Room has been such a great opportunity to sit and work in the Central Library in a beautiful space overlooking downtown Seattle. There's something particularly lovely about having a dedicated writing space.

When embarking on a new project, I can never predict what sorts of questions and problems will come up. One day, I'm researching the devastating effect of carbofuran on the food chain, and the next I'm trying to figure out where the legend of the Green Man stems from. I'm always learning something new, and that's my favorite thing about writing! I go down rabbit hole after rabbit hole and, like Alice, hoping I come out with a new perspective. Librarians are superheroes in many ways, and the Reference Librarians have been incredibly helpful in answering my questions and directing me to the appropriate resources in these quests.

What are your favorite writing collections or resources that you've used?

I don't think I'll ever stop shouting about how incredible a library's Special Collections are. They tell fascinating stories about both the library and what their staff view as important in collecting — and they hold stories of their own. For example, if you haven't gone through The Seattle Public Library's Century 21 Collection, you absolutely should! It's a surreal ride through Seattle's 1962 World's Fair as seen through a collection of photos, trolley advertisements, city planning, etc. Honestly, it's a wild time.

Seattle Transit Commission proposal for transportation from downtown Seattle to the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair) grounds, depicting a five-coach train on 5th Avenue (spl_c21_1936005)

The idea behind hosting the World Fair here was to showcase Seattle as a space-age city, so these photos show a vision of the future (as imagined by Seattle citizens in the '60s)! As someone who writes the fantastical, these have been a goldmine. You can see things that have absolutely panned out, and then ideas that haven't manifested — at least not yet.

Booklet describing plans for the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair), 1959 (spl_c21_2253662)

Going through the collection is a little bit like watching The Jetsons. You can see the echo of our reality today through their dynamic vision of the future.

Have I convinced you yet?

Is there anything you'd like to share with future Writers' Room Residents?

Enjoy your time in the Writers' Room and with the Central Library. I hope you find your own way into the Special Collections and discover equally wild things. There are so many things to explore!

Interested in applying for the Writers' Room Residency? Applications for the 2024 Writers' Room cohort will close December 22, 2023. Those accepted into the program in 2024 will have access to the room during the Library's open hours through December 20, 2024. Click here to apply!